Tips for Hosting a Wedding at Home

Posted on August 29th, 2012. Original content from Zillow's Real Estate Blog.

By John Donegan

Although at-home weddings are intimate and sentimental, they generally require more money and preparation than people realize. According to Washington DC area wedding planner Katie Martin, at-home weddings cost 10 to 15 percent more than location weddings. That being said, if done correctly, hosting a wedding at home can be an incredible experience.

The first thing you need to do is make room for your guests. By utilizing a self-storage finder, you can locate an affordable storage locker for your excess furniture. At-home weddings require a great deal of room, and temporary self-storage is a great way to free up space. In addition to renting a storage unit, we’ve compiled these tips for hosting an at-home wedding:

Let the setting dictate the wedding aesthetic

If you have an oceanfront property, perhaps you will have barefoot guests, margaritas and tiki torches around the yard. If the wedding is on a large estate, maybe it’s a champagne waterfall, fine china and lavish decorations. A rustic cabin would arguably mandate a more down-to–earth décor.

Hire a wedding planner

Between hiring a catering company, bartenders, musicians and a tent company, an at-home wedding is a great deal of work. Although it is an added cost, a wedding planner can really help alleviate stress. Don’t try to do everything yourself.

Be prepared for inclement weather

If you’re having an outdoor reception, be prepared for Mother Nature. A large tent can provide both shade and protection from rainfall, but depending on the size of the wedding, a tent may not be sufficient. You may need to clear out rooms inside your home as well.

Be courteous to your neighbors

Make sure you let your neighbors know you’re having a wedding. You don’t want them landscaping that day or hosting a party at the same time. Also, if you are friendly with your neighbors, perhaps some of your guests can park in their driveway.

Consider permits

Look into the local noise ordinances, as you may need a permit to host the loud festivities at your home. Some towns require permits to park cars on certain streets as well.

Portable bathrooms

The general rule is to have at least one bathroom for every 35 guests. You don’t want guests waiting in long lines for the restroom, so it may be prudent to rent portable bathrooms. Luckily, these port-a-potties have become very upscale; you can rent ones equipped with air conditioning, heated water, sinks, lighting and mirrors.

Transportation and housing

Perhaps the most important considerations are where the guests will stay and how they get to and from the wedding. It’s important to consider taxis, shuttles and hotels early in the planning stages.

John Donegan is a writer at SpareFoot, the online marketplace where you can find and reserve aself-storage unit with comparison shopping tools that show real-time availability and exclusive deals. John lives in Austin, TX and occasionally directs videos for rap artists.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.